Transforming Semiconductor Fabrication with AI-Powered Defect Identification

At the core of Singapore’s technology landscape, an innovative deep tech startup has launched a cutting-edge AI platform aimed at revolutionizing semiconductor manufacturing. This breakthrough technology enables producers to detect and forecast chip defects in real time during the fabrication process,significantly boosting quality assurance and operational productivity.

Fueling expansion Through Strategic Funding

The startup recently closed a Series A funding round, raising $8.5 million and bringing its total investment to nearly $12 million.Leading this financial boost was Peak XV’s Surge fund (formerly Sequoia India & SEA), supported by Alpha Intelligence Capital, FEBE, and other key investors committed to advancing semiconductor innovation.

Founders’ Mission: Unlocking Data Potential in Chip Production

Founded in 2018 by CTO Akanksha Jagwani and CEO Avni Agarwal, the company addresses a critical challenge within semiconductor manufacturing: converting massive volumes of raw data-from defect images to machine sensor outputs-into actionable intelligence that prevents faults and maximizes yield efficiency.

The founders recognized that despite fabs generating terabytes of data daily worldwide-estimated at over 5 terabytes per day per facility-real-time analytical insights remain limited. This gap inspired their vision to modernize quality control through advanced AI solutions.

Diverse Expertise Driving Technological Breakthroughs

Akanksha’s background includes developing automation systems for global giants like Hyundai Motors and GE as well as leading product development teams at tech startups. Avni brings experience designing large-scale analytics platforms at Visa with a focus on protecting proprietary algorithms. Together, they channel their expertise into applying artificial intelligence beyond fintech into conventional sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing.

A Focused Approach on Semiconductor Quality Enhancement

the founders evaluated multiple industries including aerospace and automotive before identifying semiconductors as primed for disruption.despite high-precision engineering standards, inspection processes still rely heavily on manual checks or disconnected tools lacking integrated analysis capabilities.

“While fabs are equipped with dashboards displaying statistical process control charts,” explains Avni Agarwal, “engineers must still manually identify defect patterns-a laborious task prone to errors.”

User-Centric Platform Designed for process engineers

The AI-driven system provides early warnings about potential defects through features such as automated root cause analysis and failure prediction models. Tailored specifically for process engineers rather than data scientists, it allows users to customize models using their own factory datasets without requiring coding skills-enabling deployment within two days while ensuring reliable results.

Navigating Competitive Terrain with Unique Strengths

• Main competitors: In-house engineering teams utilizing software like cognex or Halcon;
• inspection hardware providers: Incorporating basic AI functions directly into equipment;
• Evolving startups: Firms such as Landing.ai focusing on industrial visual inspections;
• This startup’s advantage: An intuitive platform optimized for rapid implementation by non-experts combined with compatibility across more than 60% of global inspection devices.

Tangible Results Across Industry Leaders

The platform is currently deployed at major manufacturers including GlobalFoundries and JCET, having analyzed over 100 million chips so far. Reported improvements include accelerating production cycles by up to 30%, increasing yield rates by one-to-two percent-a substantial gain given industry benchmarks-and reducing manual inspection labor by approximately ninety percent.

A Worldwide Growth Strategy Amid Geopolitical Shifts

the evolving geopolitical landscape among major economies has spurred investments in new semiconductor fabs globally-including emerging hubs like Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, India, Taiwan, Israel-and expanding facilities across the United States market as well.

“New fabs have the advantage of building from scratch without legacy infrastructure limitations,” says one founder.“This adaptability enables them to integrate state-of-the-art AI-native technologies from day one.”

This strategic regional presence positions the company favorably amid growing demand driven by supply chain diversification efforts worldwide seeking resilient chip production closer to end consumers’ markets.